ADM picks location for Chicago headquarters

A photo of the top floors of 77 W Wacker Dr., when it housed the headquarters for United Airlines. The logo and letters were removed when it moved this summer.

Agriculture giant Archer Daniels Midland Co. said on Thursday it is relocating its global headquarters from Decatur to the former United Building in downtown Chicago.

ADM announced its plans to make Chicago its new home in December, shortly after it was unable to secure the special tax incentives it sought from Illinois lawmakers.

The company said it expects to shift 60 employees to the new office at 77 W. Wacker Dr, down from the 100 jobs the company had cited in its proposal to win up to $30 million in state incentives over 20 years.

The proposal had also included the creation of a tech center and its 100 jobs. ADM withdrew that offer following lawmakers’ failure to approve the incentive, which would have allowed ADM to keep $1.5 million a year in taxes its employees would have paid the state.

ADM continues to search for a new home for the center. It is expected to make a decision by the middle of the year.

Crain's Chicago Business first reported the location of the new headquarters.